Mehdi Hasan died today. There are no words to capture his influence on my generation and the ones before me. I am posting a shorter version of my essay which was published in a volume “Mehdi Hasan: The Man and His Music” (2010, Liberty Books). RIP Khan Saheb. The kesari balam has finally left for his new home..

From Khyber to Dhaka and from Skardu to Deccan wafts a lilting and profound voice that binds discerning lovers of music. The highly trained vocals are none other than Mehdi Hasan’s, which leave music buffs like this writer wondering how Mian Tansen may have sung Raga Darbari, his own innovation, with full-throated ease and with what degree of perfection in Emperor Akbar’s court, be it in Agra, Lahore or Fatehpur Sikri. Listening to Mehdi Hasan’s flawless exposition of what is often referred to as the most royal of the ragas on which is based his composition of Perveen Shakir’s ghazalÂ Ku baku phael gayi,Â one feels privileged to be living in the melodious age of Mehdi Hasan. But it is not merely Darbari that he excels in; name any other raga that he has garbed his ghazal in and you will not miss his flair for classical music.

His gift and skill are matchless. Alas, the voice is in silence for many years due to his protracted illness for nearly a decad

While the melody queen Noor Jehan reigned over the world of Pakistani film music, Mehdi Hasan retained his status asShehanshah-e-GhazalÂ – an icon, a cult in the Pakistani musical universe. His gift and skill are matchless. Alas, the voice is in silence for many years due to his protracted illness for nearly a decade. The man behind this soulful, mellow and earthy voice has been an enigma, due, in part, to our general proclivity not to document the lives of the outstanding characters in our cultural life. On Pakistan’s culture, or lack thereof, the less said the better. Even at the best of times, we have been confounded by debates on whether music isÂ haraamÂ orÂ halaalÂ and where the glorious tradition of subcontinental Hindustani ends and the new Islamic state’s cultural ethos begins.

The debate, instead of getting resolved, has worsened with the rise of fully armed hordes of obscurantists, which are not just anti-culture but a threat to Pakistan’s existence as a pluralistic and vibrant society. Therefore, writing on music and tracing the footprints of a legend are an act of defiance in itself, challenging the orthodoxy and those who wish to remove melody from our lives. Rejuvenation and preservation of our fading cultural memory, needless to say, is essential to our survival.

Rajasthan is known for its haunting melodies celebrating the relationship between the earth and the soul. The echoes of nomads andÂ banjarasÂ roaming its deserts are said to merge into sand dunes and shining stars. And it was in the town of Luna, of district Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, where Mehdi Hassan was born in a family of musicians in 1927 (Luna is close to 100 miles from Jaipur). His father Ustad Azeem Khan and uncle Ustad Ismail Khan were well-known classical singers and they also became his mentors and role models. Reportedly, Hasan’s first public performance took place when he was eight years old at the Maharaja of Baroda’s darbar.

I have met several men and women in Dhaka who while struggling to locate some positive memories of their united Pakistan experience point towards Mehdi Hasan’s songs and ghaz

After Partition, Mehdi Hassan moved to District Khushab in the Sargodha region in Pakistan and took a job as an automobile mechanic, perhaps explaining the scientific precision of his skills. However, the immense talent refused to be marginalised in the wilderness of the central Punjab. Within years Radio Pakistan glowed with his melody in 1952. This was the time when he sang the immortal ghazal‘Gulon mein rung bharay baad-e-naubahar chalay’Â by Faiz Ahmed Faiz. His elder brother, Pandit Ghulam Qadir, composed that ghazal and two other classics: Hafeez Hoshiarpuri’s ghazal “Â Mohabbat karne waale kum na honge” and Razi Tirmizi’s “Â Bhooli bisri chand umeedein“.

The state initially showed minimal interest in the treatment of Mehdi Hasan’s prolonged illness to the extent of being cruel

A formidable icon had emerged whose voice and mastery led the subcontinental diva, Lata Mangeshkar, to remark that Mehdi Hasan’s voice was divine (Â un ke gallay mein bhagwan boltay hainÂ or something to that effect). With his credentials as a maestro established in a short span of time, Mehdi Hasan moved to film music where he was to enjoy a unique position as a playback singer. He was neither a pop star nor a film singer, as we understand today through the Bollywood lens. His was a musical soiree that was a blend of the popular and the courtly, of the sublime and the banal resulting in some of the best film music of Pakistani history. Perhaps one of the cultural bonds between the eastern and western wings of pre-1971 Pakistan was Mehdi Hasan’s music.

Prime minister Yusuf Raza Gillani visits Mehdi Hasan in hospital

I have met several men and women in Dhaka who while struggling to locate some positive memories of their united Pakistan experience point towards Mehdi Hasan’s songs and ghazals. The repertoire of his film music was also wide-ranging and continued through the decades.
Earlier songs,Â Aye roshnian ke sheher bataÂ from filmÂ Chinagri(composed by Khawaja Khursheed Anwar),Â Tu laakh chahe ai jaane baharanÂ fromÂ NajmaÂ (composed by Master Inayat), ‘ik naye mod per le ayen hai halat mujhe’, (film Ehsan, music Sohail Rana) and the experimentalÂ Mein hoon yahan tu he wahanÂ from filmÂ Gharnata(composed byÂ A Hameed) set new standards for film music not only in Pakistan but throughout South Asia.

Even later, his film melodies were always in public demand and a dream project for any composer. A later film released in the early 1980sÂ BandishÂ had a brilliant songÂ Do piyasay dil eik huay hain aiasay, bichrain ge ab kaisay.

The film journey, majestic and fulsome, as it was, benefited greatly from the parallel stream flowing in our cultural veins in the form of ghazals and semi-classical pieces. The two reinforced each other and even merged at many points. When the film music genre interacted with the ghazal idiom, the results were absolutely astounding. Two examples are the ghazals composed by Ahmad Faraz which were rendered with extreme sophistication and the adroitness of a miniaturist:Â Abke ham bichray tou shayed kabhi khawabon mein milain,and the masterpiece Mehdi Hasan based on the evergreen raga – Aiman -Â Ranjish hi sahi, dil hi dukhanay ke liye aa.Â

Be it Mir, Ghalib, Faiz or any of the long line of contemporary poets such as Parveen Shakir and Faraz, Mehdi Hasan had the innate art to bring out the best from Urdu’s versified poetry and its tender images. The ultimate of ghazals, aÂ piece-de-resistance, is Mir Taqi Mir’sÂ Patta patta boota boota, haal hamara jaanay hai, (composed by Niaz Hussain Shami) which remains an outstanding chapter of ghazal singing. Parveen Shakir’s first bookÂ KhushbuÂ received its greatest tributes in the form of Mehdi Hasan’s extraordinary rendition ofÂ Ku baku phel gayee baat shanasai ki.

His exposition of Raga Tilak Kamod inÂ Dukhwa mein kaase kahoon mori sajniÂ is a sample of highpoints of semi-classical music. This composition testifies to the virtuoso’s genius for its effortlessness and sheer beauty. As if this incredible dexterity, range and diversity are not enough, Khan sahib’s essential command over the folk genre has been a spectacular treat. In particular,Â Kesariya balama,Â the eternal Rajasthani song delivered amazingly with the range and vastness of the Thar desert, is an imprint on our collective memory that refuses to fade away.

Mehdi Hasan’s richness of expression and superb career is a matter of our pride. His voice is what I grew up with. I remember my childhood when the radio, television, cinema andmehfilsÂ were nothing but revered spaces devoted to Khan sahib. His popularity cuts across ethnic, provincial and linguistic divides.

But what did the state do? A mammoth entity inhabited by vested interests and anti-culture elements, the state initially showed minimal interest in the treatment of Mehdi Hasan’s prolonged illness to the extent of being cruel. The least that Pakistan’s officialdom could have done was to take care of its brilliant performer who added music to a turbulent and tumultuous country. But what came was only after the media picked up this story and forced the powerful lords of our destiny to give some attention to this issue. The voluntary response of our officials makes us ashamed of our larger national conduct.

But this has been our tragic tradition. Our greatest artists, singers, poets and intellectuals have suffered at the hands of a conformist society and state captured by puritans especially since late 1970s. It is never too late for the intelligentsia of this country to mobilise public pressure on the state machinery so that it learns to respect cultural diversity and the imperative to nurture a creative, healthy and civilised society.

Tansen taught us how music is a route to immortality. An ailing Mehdi Hasan in 2011 is fighting with death. His longevity is ensured. Tansen must be proud of his new-age prodigy.An edited version was published in “Mehdi Hasan: The Man and His Music” edited by Asif Noorani (2010, Liberty Books) and later The Friday Times.

Raza Rumi is a writer and policy expert based in Lahore. He blogs at http://razarumi.com. Follow him on twitter: @razarumi

All things are originally deemed permissible as long as Shari`ah prohibits them. Islam has declared excessiveness use of everything as prohibited. The same goes for excessiveness in eating, leisure and recreation even though these things are permissible by certain sects! This indicates that one should know that Allah Almighty will ask every one about his activities, the life He spend and particularly about his youth is answerable. It is said and understood that singing should not be accompanied with something that is prohibited such as alcohol, nakedness, amalgamation of men with women, which is common in Ghazal parties, Pubs and nightclubs. It is obvious, apparent, and observable that Mehdi Hassan had had infinite liquor consumption habits.
I remembered and feel despairing; 90â€™s incident of a volatile get-together party in Kuwait, where Mehdi Hassan had had tough time with an Indian Hyderabadi Nawabâ€™s Family who raised their eye-brows for his infinitely drunken practiced and commanded him to leave the party before its Jennies.
Nawabzada Shajee Nawab

I spent four years trying EVERYTHING in Online Dating, and through a huge amount of trial and error, I produced a system that I will share for you. This book will take you, step by step, through everything you need to know to double, triple or even quadruple the number of women you meet online.

I spent four years trying EVERYTHING in Online Dating, and through a huge amount of trial and error, I produced a system that I will share for you. This book will take you, step by step, through everything you need to know to double, triple or even quadruple the number of women you meet online.

I precisely needed to appreciate you once again. I do not know the things I would have achieved without the entire tricks shared by you about this problem. It had become a troublesome issue in my circumstances, but looking at the very well-written form you managed that forced me to weep for happiness. Now i’m happy for this advice as well as wish you are aware of an amazing job you have been putting in training people today through your blog post. I’m certain you’ve never got to know all of us.

I not to mention my pals were going through the good tips found on your web site then then developed an awful feeling I never expressed respect to the web site owner for them. Most of the men had been totally warmed to read them and have pretty much been using these things. I appreciate you for simply being so helpful as well as for deciding upon varieties of terrific ideas most people are really desirous to be informed on. My very own honest apologies for not expressing appreciation to earlier.

I precisely needed to thank you very much once more. I do not know the things I would’ve worked on in the absence of the type of suggestions revealed by you directly on this situation. Completely was the terrifying condition in my position, nevertheless observing the specialised style you dealt with that made me to jump over fulfillment. I’m just happy for the help and thus expect you are aware of a great job your are getting into training many people via your web blog. I’m certain you haven’t got to know any of us.

I am commenting to let you know of the magnificent encounter my daughter experienced reading through your web page. She learned some things, including what it is like to possess a wonderful teaching style to let folks clearly thoroughly grasp some hard to do matters. You truly did more than her expected results. Thanks for presenting these effective, trustworthy, educational and even unique tips on that topic to Sandra.

I wanted to write you this very little remark to be able to say thank you yet again for the magnificent views you’ve provided in this case. It has been certainly seriously generous with you to provide publicly all many individuals could have made available as an ebook to help make some bucks for their own end, primarily since you might well have done it if you desired. The thoughts also served as the good way to comprehend some people have the same zeal like my very own to realize a lot more with reference to this matter. Certainly there are millions of more pleasurable sessions in the future for individuals that discover your blog post.

I simply had to say thanks yet again. I do not know what I would’ve sorted out without the recommendations discussed by you concerning my area. Certainly was the distressing problem in my opinion, but coming across a new specialised form you resolved the issue took me to jump with gladness. Now i’m thankful for the help and in addition trust you are aware of a great job you are accomplishing training the rest through your webpage. Probably you’ve never got to know all of us.

My spouse and i ended up being really peaceful when Emmanuel could conclude his basic research out of the precious recommendations he was given from your own weblog. It is now and again perplexing just to possibly be giving for free tactics which men and women have been trying to sell. So we keep in mind we now have the website owner to give thanks to for that. All the illustrations you’ve made, the straightforward site navigation, the relationships your site make it easier to foster – it is many exceptional, and it’s assisting our son in addition to our family reckon that the topic is satisfying, and that’s tremendously pressing. Thanks for the whole thing!

I intended to compose you a little note just to give many thanks the moment again for these incredible opinions you’ve provided in this article. It is simply shockingly generous with people like you giving unhampered exactly what most people would’ve advertised as an ebook to make some cash for their own end, principally seeing that you might well have tried it in the event you decided. The points as well acted to become good way to be sure that other individuals have similar dreams the same as my personal own to know more in respect of this problem. I am sure there are several more enjoyable moments ahead for those who examine your site.

I would like to convey my appreciation for your kind-heartedness giving support to those people who should have guidance on that field. Your very own commitment to passing the message up and down appeared to be exceedingly insightful and has in every case empowered folks much like me to realize their desired goals. Your warm and helpful useful information denotes a lot to me and still more to my office colleagues. Thanks a lot; from all of us.

I would like to get across my respect for your kind-heartedness supporting women who require help with the content. Your special commitment to getting the message throughout had become extremely invaluable and has truly encouraged others like me to attain their desired goals. Your own valuable tips and hints indicates a great deal a person like me and somewhat more to my fellow workers. Thanks a lot; from everyone of us.

A lot of thanks for each of your work on this blog. Kate take interest in managing investigations and it is obvious why. Most of us notice all regarding the lively means you provide insightful items through the web site and as well encourage participation from other individuals on that content and our own princess is actually becoming educated a lot of things. Take advantage of the rest of the new year. You are conducting a great job.

I’m commenting to let you understand of the perfect experience our princess gained using yuor web blog. She noticed a good number of pieces, with the inclusion of what it is like to possess an awesome coaching nature to have the others effortlessly completely grasp a number of extremely tough subject areas. You really exceeded our expected results. I appreciate you for coming up with the invaluable, safe, explanatory and also easy thoughts on that topic to Gloria.

I just want to mention I am newbie to blogs and honestly loved you’re web blog. Very likely I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You amazingly come with awesome writings. Many thanks for sharing with us your web-site.

You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!|

You actually make it seem so easy together with your presentation however I in finding this matter to be actually one thing that I think I might never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I am looking ahead in your subsequent put up, I’ll attempt to get the grasp of it!|

Does your website have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to send you an email. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.

Hey there. I found your website by way of Google at the same time as searching for a comparable topic, your site got here up. It seems to be great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

You are my inhalation , I own few web logs and infrequently run out from to post .I think this internet site holds some real superb information for everyone. “A man’s dreams are an index to his greatness.” by Zadok Rabinwitz.

Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog. A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.